Allergen Information
May contain: soy, nuts
Nutrition per 100g
Dairy & Dairy Alternatives › Plant-Based Cheese
Rice Cheese for Gestational Diabetes
Rice cheese is a plant-based cheese alternative made primarily from rice flour, vegetable oils like coconut or safflower oil, and various starches. It was developed as a solution for individuals with dairy, soy, or nut allergies, offering a cheese-like product free from common allergens. Its texture is typically softer and more crumbly than dairy cheese, and it has a mild, distinct flavor profile. While it serves as a functional substitute in some dishes, its nutritional value is quite different from traditional cheese, being very low in protein and high in carbohydrates and fats.
At a glance
Pregnancy safety
SafeBlood sugar impact
highCarbs / 100 g
22gIs Rice Cheese safe with gestational diabetes?
Rice cheese is a poor choice for managing gestational diabetes due to its unfavorable nutritional profile. It is composed mainly of refined carbohydrates from rice flour and starches, which have a high glycemic index. Furthermore, it lacks the protein and fiber necessary to help stabilize blood sugar levels after a meal. The combination of high-GI carbs with minimal protein makes it a significant risk for causing sharp glucose spikes. Therefore, it should be consumed with extreme caution and in very limited quantities, if at all.
How does Rice Cheese affect blood sugar during pregnancy?
The primary ingredients in rice cheese, such as rice flour and potato starch, are rapidly digested and absorbed into the bloodstream as glucose. This results in a high glycemic impact, leading to a quick and substantial rise in blood sugar levels. Unlike dairy cheese, which has almost no carbohydrates, rice cheese's impact is almost entirely carb-driven. While it does contain fat, the amount is often insufficient to significantly blunt the rapid glucose absorption from its refined starch content. This makes it a particularly challenging food for maintaining glycemic control during pregnancy.
What is a safe portion of Rice Cheese for gestational diabetes?
Portion control is critical when it comes to rice cheese. A maximum serving should not exceed one thin slice or about a tablespoon of shredded product. This strict limit is necessary to keep the glycemic load of your meal in a lower range and prevent a significant blood sugar event. Visually, this is a very small amount, used more as a minor flavor accent rather than a main ingredient. Exceeding this portion size dramatically increases the risk of hyperglycemia, making it an unsuitable choice for a primary cheese substitute.
How should I combine Rice Cheese to manage blood sugar during pregnancy?
If you choose to consume rice cheese, it is absolutely essential to pair it strategically to mitigate its impact on blood sugar. Never eat it with other carbohydrate-dense foods like crackers, bread, or pasta. Instead, pair a very small portion with a large serving of non-starchy vegetables, such as a robust salad with leafy greens, cucumbers, and bell peppers. Additionally, include a substantial source of lean protein like grilled chicken breast or chickpeas. This strategy uses fiber and protein to slow down overall digestion and glucose absorption from the meal.
Last reviewed: August 31, 2026
Important Safety Information
Every pregnancy is different, and gestational diabetes is managed differently depending on your readings, your medication and how far along you are. The ratings and portions on this page are general information — not a diagnosis, a treatment plan or a medical device — and they cannot see your results.
- Low blood sugar:
- If you take insulin or diabetes medication, eating less carbohydrate than your team planned for can push your blood sugar too low. Treat a reading below 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L), or symptoms such as shaking, sweating, confusion or a racing heart, with fast-acting carbohydrate immediately and retest after 15 minutes. Never use this page as a reason to skip or shrink a meal you were told to eat.
- Carbohydrate and ketones:
- Cutting carbohydrate hard to force a number down is not safe in pregnancy — it can produce ketones. Published guidance sets a minimum of 175 g of carbohydrate per day in pregnancy. Readings that stay above target for several days need your care team, not a smaller portion.
- Medication and insulin:
- The portions here are generic and know nothing about your insulin doses, your metformin, or the steroids given to mature your baby's lungs — all of which change how a meal affects you. Never adjust a dose or a mealtime based on this page.
- Food safety in pregnancy:
- Blood sugar is not the only thing that makes a food suitable while you are pregnant. Some foods with excellent glycemic numbers still carry mercury, vitamin A, listeria or alcohol risks, and those are judged separately from the ratings shown here. Check your national pregnancy food-safety guidance before adding an unfamiliar food.
- What these ratings can and cannot tell you:
- Glycemic index values, impact ratings and maximum servings are population averages taken from published tables. Two people eating the same food can get very different readings, so your own meter is the only measurement that describes you. Nutrition figures are indicative per 100 g and vary with brand, ripeness and preparation.
Contact your care team the same day if: your readings stay above target for several days; you have a reading below 54 mg/dL (3.0 mmol/L) or needed someone else's help to treat a low; you test positive for ketones; or your baby is moving less than usual. Seek emergency care for confusion, fainting, repeated vomiting, or a low you cannot bring back up.
By using this guide, you agree to our Terms and Conditions.
Sources & Editorial Review
Content independently developed by Dalo Labs ApS, informed by the American Diabetes Association's Standards of Care in Diabetes, ACOG's gestational diabetes guidelines, and the IADPSG consensus criteria. Not endorsed by or affiliated with any referenced organization. · Last reviewed: August 2026
More in Plant-Based Cheese
Track your meals with SugarCurve
Log this food, track your blood sugar, and get personalized guidance — all in the app.
Start Free Trial →